Fragmentary Order lore opens the door to a return to Tarkov

Nikita Buyanov reveals how his new sci-fi shooter connects with Escape from Tarkov and shares his vision of revisiting a ruined city centuries later.

PC
Published on  

Fragmentary Order lore artwork showing two armored soldiers and a tactical drone in a snow-covered ruined industrial port.

Fragmentary Order lore could give Escape from Tarkov players an unexpected reason to explore Nikita Buyanov’s next shooter. Beyond its futuristic weapons and Martian battlefields, the project offers an opportunity to discover what remains of a familiar world more than two centuries later.

In an exclusive interview with Insider Gaming published on November 15, 2026, Buyanov clarified the relationship between both titles. Furthermore, he expressed his interest in revisiting one of the most recognizable locations from his previous work.

Fragmentary Order lore turns Tarkov into ancient history

Although both multiplayer shooters belong to the same fictional universe, their stories are separated by more than 200 years. This considerable gap gives Rant Gaming creative freedom to establish a different setting without abandoning the foundations of Escape from Tarkov.

In fact, Buyanov explained that there will be references connecting factions from both games. He also discussed the possibility of introducing easter eggs, which could reward veteran players familiar with the franchise’s background.

However, Fragmentary Order is not a direct sequel to Escape from Tarkov. Instead, its science-fiction setting provides an opportunity to explore how this fictional universe has evolved across generations.

A ruined Tarkov could offer more than a nostalgic return

Until now, Mars has been the only location showcased in FragO. Nevertheless, Buyanov would like to bring players back to Earth, where they could encounter a forgotten version of Tarkov consumed by the passage of time.

From a narrative perspective, revisiting familiar territory centuries later could be more interesting than simply recreating old environments. Recognizable landmarks, abandoned buildings and traces of previous conflicts could potentially help explain the relationship between both games through environmental storytelling.

During the interview, the journalist suggested combining the original Tarkov maps into a large post-apocalyptic environment using Unreal Engine. Although Buyanov reacted to the proposal, he did not confirm its development.

Consequently, the return to Tarkov remains a creative ambition rather than an officially announced location. Neither an open-world recreation nor the inclusion of specific maps has been confirmed.

Fragmentary Order lore expands a universe without replacing its origins

Buyanov’s involvement in several projects highlights the different directions that his fictional universe could take. While Rant Gaming develops its hardcore sci-fi shooter for PC, Battlestate Games continues preparing other experiences connected to Escape from Tarkov.

Among them is the upcoming Tarkov mobile game with a top-down extraction format, which is expected to be announced in 2027. A console version of Escape from Tarkov is also set to receive an official announcement that year.

These projects illustrate how the same universe can accommodate different gameplay perspectives and settings. In FragO’s case, moving hundreds of years into the future could allow Rant Gaming to establish its own identity while preserving meaningful connections with Tarkov.

What can players currently expect from FragO?

Revealed in early November 2026, Fragmentary Order is a hardcore first-person multiplayer shooter developed for PC. Its initial presentation included approximately 14 minutes of gameplay, offering a closer look at its futuristic approach to combat.

As we explored in our coverage of the Fragmentary Order gameplay reveal and Prime Batch program, players can already reserve a place in its early testing initiative.

Those interested in participating in the closed alpha can find further information on the official Fragmentary Order website.

Ultimately, Fragmentary Order lore could become one of the most compelling reasons for Tarkov veterans to follow this new adventure. Rather than repeating the past, Rant Gaming has an opportunity to show what became of it. A return to Earth would certainly be an intriguing way to explore that possibility.

Share it so all your friends hear about it:
X